We recently connected with Loren Lukens and have shared our conversation below.

Loren, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?

I am now looking back at a 50 year career as a full time ceramic artist. I never had a “real job” during those years except a few short term sabbatical replacement teaching gigs and occasional workshop presentations. My wife of 50 years is a musician (pianist, voice coach and choral conductor). She worked part time as chorus master at an opera company and maintained a private teaching studio. My studios were rented commercial spaces that I shared with other artists until we were able to buy a building with room for both studios and living quarters. Twenty five years later, we sold the building and equipment to another ceramic artist and it lives on as a creative space.
I had a showroom gallery in each of the four spaces I occupied over the years but most of my income came from wholesale to galleries across the country. Covid killed my wholesale business in short order and I turned to retailing from my storefront gallery plus I started representing 2-d artists with a higher price point.
After selling the building, my wife and I bought a house near our daughter and I am establishing a new studio in the garage of our home. I am starting over with new clays, glazes and firing techniques as well as finding new avenues to reach a buying public.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My college degree was in Art with a concentration in ceramics, although painting, drawing and sculpture experiences contributed greatly to my development. Clay art and craft is frontloaded with technique building before positive results can be achieved. Patience, determination and durability are necessary personal attributes. Everything we create as individuals is built on what came before. An enduring interest in and study of Art history can illuminate a path forward. Looking over your shoulder at what your colleagues are doing is always helpful but ultimately we must find our own way.
My work found an audience by riffing on traditional shapes in non traditional ways and applying vaguely sumi brush decorative elements that encompassed the forms. The work has morphed slowly and steadily over the years yet maintained a personal, identifiable style.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

My boss is a son of a bitch, but he will never fire me. I could always pick my own schedule… any 70 hours per week is fine. My daughter always knew what I did for a living because she grew up in the studio. I now have a built in hobby to pursue.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

I grew up as a Kansas farm kid. My people were farmers all the way back in history. My father saw his most meaningful purpose was to be a steward of the land…to leave it in better shape than before, contributing to soil and water conservation and efficient use of resources. I look at clay craft similarly, looking back at the arc of ceramic history and determined to contribute my bit to this noble legacy. This old fashioned ethos fits poorly with todays’ individualistic attitudes and may be more inspirational than aspirational in that my success depends on being distinctive and unique as an artist.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.lorenlukens.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lorenlukens/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/loren.lukens/